Hitch release



J. D. DUNN a HITCH RELEASE Filed April 5, 1945 Im/entor JQsePH DQDUNN f By and Patented Jan. 21, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HITCH RELEASE Joseph D. Dunn, Assumption, Ill. Application April 5, 1945, Serial No. 586,721

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a trailer hitch for tractors and has for its object to provide a quick release without leaving the tractor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trailer hitch'which may be released from a tractor seat.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the hitch,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof,

Figure 3 is a detail view of one member of the invention,

Figure l is a detail elevation of a latch member, and

Figure is another elevational View thereof.

in the accompanying drawing as above enumerated and in the following specification, like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout and in which Ill, indicates a hitch to connect a wagon (or any other drawn device) to a tractor. This hitch consists of a pair of side plates II and i2, xedly connected and held spaced by rivets I3 and it, or the like. Pivotally mounted between said plates by means of a shaft I5, is a latch member it. Spacer washers Il, on said shaft hold the member It, centered relative to the elongated slot |8, in a tongue member I9, having a bore 2G, through its outer end 2|, whereby it is secured to a wagon or other trailer (not shown). The arms 22 and 23, are connected at their outer ends 2li and 25, by a pin 26,

The bifurcated end of member I9, is adapted to slide in between the plates II and I2, and be secured therein by the latch member I 6, supported by said plates II and I2. The hook or latch end 2, of the member I8, is engageable by a pin 23, carried by a lever 29, pivoted at 30, to the plate I2. A coil spring 3|, is mounted between a cross plate 32, and the end 33, of said lever whereby the lever is held in position to hold pin 28, in the path of member I6, which in this position bears against the pin 2t, oi member I9, whereby the members E9 and 3d, are securely held connected. However, there is a rope 35, secured to the end 36, of the lever which is trained over a sheave 31, and leads on to the seat of a tractor in order that when said rope is drawn forward it will pull end 35, of the lever against tension of spring 3|, causing its outer end 38, to move toward edge 39, of plate I2, taking with it the pin 28, and releasing the latch I6, thus letting go of member i9 and separating the tractor from the trailer. The member 34, is connected to a tractor by means of a bolt (not shown) operating through the bores 39', in the ends ll and 4l, of said plates I l and I2. The terminals i2 and d3, of the pin 2%, slidably operate in the slots 44, of' the plates II and I2.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement oi details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to, in actual practice, if desired.

Having now described my invention that which I claim as new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is:

A hitch release comprising a pair of parallel spaced side plates having an inwardly extending slot formed in the adjacent ends of each plate, rivets extending through said plates for holding the same in xed position, of a draw bar having spaced parallel ends adapted to be inserted between said plates, a coupling pin disposed between the parallel ends of said draw bar extending above and below the same for slidable engagement in the slots in said side plates, a yoke lever having parallel arms at one end pivotally supported between said side plates, a locking'jpin between said parallel arms, the arms of said lever at the opposite side of its pivot converging to provide a seat, a cross plate between said side plates overlying said seat, a coil expansion spring disposed between said cross plate and seat, a sheave mounted between said side plates overlying the converging end of said yoke lever, a release cable disposed over said sheave and connected with the converging end of said yoke lever, and a centerable gravity actuated latch lever pvotally supported for swinging downwardly between said side plates between the parallel ends of said draw bar after the coupling pin is in its innermost position, the same being formed with alocking pin engaging shoulder adapted to engage the locking pin disposed between the parallel arms of said resiliently projected yoke lever.

JOSEPH D. DUNN. 

